Promise to the Past | 🐾 ᴍᴀʀᴀᴜᴅᴇʀs ✓

Golden Era 03 | The Hermione Conundrum

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Nova Aylin Black had always considered herself to be singularly gifted when it came to her intelligence- she has all the meticulousness of her mother as well the sharp, perceptive eye of her father. 

When she approached Hermione Granger at breakfast on a busy Monday morning, asking her so publicly to join her family for Christmas, she knew the girl would have little alternative but to accept. After all, Nova had already let slip that she was closely acquainted with her Gryffindor pals. Hermione could hardly be seen snubbing Nova so publicly. Nova knew this, and while she did give her flagrant manipulation a second thought, she couldn't bring herself to feel bad. She had Granger right where she wanted her.  

But, Merlin help whoever thought they could manipulate Hermione Granger without consequence. Nova really should have seen this coming. This was the same girl who slapped Draco Malfoy, after all. 

"That's very sweet of you," Hermione spoke with impeccable cadence to match her appropriately humble and flattered tone. But sitting directly across from her, Nova could clearly see the suspicion in her critical gaze as the third-year muggleborne attempted to dissected her intentions. It was the very gaze that reminded Nova of her mother in the first place. "But my family's expecting me home these holidays." 

Nova was completely baffled, watching wordlessly as Hermione calmly packed up her belongings. 

"I need to head to the library," she offered as a departing excuse.  

Where had she gone wrong? She thought she could read Hermione Granger like a book- an isolated witch surrounded by the fanfare of her own house yet drowning in the middle of it. Nova had anticipated that the witch would eagerly see her invitation as an opportunity to find her own little group or niche. Harry and Ron always had each other. Neville was comfortably floating in and out of various social groups, enjoying the flexibility it afforded him. Ginny and Bryony were attached at the hip, and they always had been. Draco, much like Neville, was a bit of a floater. Nova had hoped Granger would jump at the opportunity. And as much as she hated to admit it, Nova kind of liked Granger. She had just proved, yet again, there was more mettle to her than met the eye. 

When the frazzled first year finally caught up to Hermione amidst the maze of shelves in the library, she planted her hands on her hips stubbornly. 

"Why not?" 

Hermione glanced over, laughing ever so briefly in disbelief. "One, I already said I had plans to spend Christmas with my parents. But more importantly, why should I? I'm sorry, Nova, but you and I aren't exactly friends. We've had one conversation, and I'm pretty sure that was more an excuse for you to size me up and defend your cousin than it was an actual attempt to befriend me." 

Nova could offer no excuse. Granger had hit the nail on the head. 

"Please?" She tried, molding her features into her most sincere expression. Gryffindors had bleeding hearts, didn't they? Or were those Hufflepuffs? 

"Why do you care?" Hermione asked softly. 

"You remind me of my mum, actually," Nova admitted, opting for the truth. Seemed like nothing else would work on Granger. "I think you'd like her." 

"That's very sweet," Hermione repeated, though this time Nova was certain of the undercurrent of genuine sincerity in her voice. "But wouldn't it be a little inappropriate given I've never met them before and you and I are just acquaintances?"  

"Then let's be friends!" Nova said boldly. 

Hermione quirked her head curiously, an amused grin pulling at her lips. Who was this little first year? No other underclassmen would have the galls to so casually befriend a third-year they barely knew. Yet, something in her determination made Hermione melt a little. Perhaps it was the echoed loneliness that was carefully hidden behind her ostentatious confidence.